Aloe : Aloe barbadensis
Although aloe is a tender succulent, you can grow it indoors on a warm sunny windowsill or greenhouse during winter. It is a very handy first aid remedy for cuts and skin abrasions – just slice a leaf horizontally and apply the clear gel that oozes out of the centre directly onto the wound.
Aloe gel has been shown to speed up healing time and encourage cellular repair in burns, minor wounds, psoriasis and the red, scaly, flaking skin of seborrheic dermatitis. It can help skin recover from sunburn and frostbite and is often used in beauty treatments as a skin softener. I will post a recipe soon.
Its astringent properties may also help tighten skin and minimise wrinkles. Caution: the clear gel from the inner leaves is different from the yellowish juice that comes from the tough outer edge of the leaves, which is known as aloes when it has solidified. Aloes can cause intestinal cramping, so don’t orally ingest the Aloes.
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Published by Theresa Stevenson
My passion for naturopathy and the desire to heal has been a long-standing tradition in my family with my grandparents living amongst the indigenous Aboriginals practicing traditional herbal medicine. Today, I have fulfilled my dreams to become a naturopath, living on the gorgeous Gold Coast with my family.
My professional background is in retail management but as an adult, my desire to further my knowledge in natural medicine led me to undertake a health science degree in naturopathy. I was very fortunate to have such inspiring teachers/mentors and I embraced the naturopathic knowledge they passed down, especially in herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, iridology, extemporaneous compounding and Swedish massage.
I wanted to immerse myself in the naturopathic world and support the profession wherever possible. This led me to apply for a volunteer position as a student representative on the board of The Australian Naturopathic Practitioners Association (ANPA) where I have resided for the past 3 years.
Additionally, I was fortunate enough to be able to inaugurate a chapter group on the Gold Coast where I facilitate regular meetings where other local naturopaths are able to attend to in order to build and enhance their own naturopathic knowledge.
As a naturopath, I believe that my patients’ health and wellbeing is paramount. I am passionate about the utilisation of naturopathic principals such as treating the cause, enhancing the body’s innate ability to self-heal and educating the patient. Therefore preparing a holistic treatment plan through to the taking of a comprehensive case history can provide the pathway to self- empowerment for the patient to achieve and maintain optimal health. Supporting the journey to total wellness with whole body therapy will engage the natural interplay that occurs between the physical, spiritual, mental and environmental elements that ultimately decides our health and vitality. I have available an array of evidence-based naturopathic treatment options such as herbal medicine, nutraceuticals, extemporaneous compounding, Swedish massage, or diet and lifestyle advice that will provide the healing properties needed to repair, restore and maintain internal harmony.
I am passionate about naturopathy and look forward to supporting and participating in the health and wellness journeys of both my past and future patients.
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